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[Skip to content](https://www.bouttimepub.com/understanding-the-nba-playoffs-a-beginners-guide/#content) All Bout Time lcoations will be closed on Thanksgiving Day except for the Sheridan, CO location. [](https://www.bouttimepub.com/) - [Food & Drink](https://www.bouttimepub.com/food-and-drink/) - [Hours & Locations](https://www.bouttimepub.com/hours-and-locations/) - [Events](https://www.bouttimepub.com/events/) [Find Your Nearest Pub](https://www.bouttimepub.com/find-your-nearest-pub/) [Order Online](https://www.bouttimepub.com/order-online/) # Understanding the NBA Playoffs: A Beginner’s Guide 3 minutes April 8, 2025  The [NBA Playoffs](https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2025) are one of the most exciting times in sports, bringing intense competition, athletic performances, legendary rivalries, individual superstars, and unforgettable moments. This beginner’s guide breaks down everything you need to know before the playoffs begin on April 19 so you can enjoy the action like a pro. ## How Do the NBA Playoffs Work? The NBA Playoffs determine the league’s champion through a series of elimination rounds. The format includes: - **16 Teams:** The top eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences qualify based on regular season performance. - **Seeding**: Teams are ranked from \#1 to \#8 in each conference based on their win-loss records. - **Best-of-Seven Series**: Each playoff round is decided in a best-of-seven format, meaning the first team to win four games advances to the next round. - **Four Rounds**: The playoffs consist of the First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and the [NBA Finals](https://www.bouttimepub.com/highlights-and-standouts-of-the-2024-nba-finals/). ## NBA Playoffs History Today, the NBA Playoffs are a global event, showcasing the best basketball talent in the world and culminating in the NBA Finals, where champions are crowned. The NBA Playoffs have evolved significantly since the league’s founding in 1946. Originally, the postseason featured just eight teams competing in a mix of round-robin and elimination formats. In 1955, the NBA adopted the best-of-seven series. In 1984, the NBA expanded to the current 16-team playoff structure. The introduction of the [Play-In Tournament](https://www.nba.com/news/nba-play-in-tournament) in 2020 gives lower-seeded teams one last chance to fight for a playoff berth and more excitement to viewers. Before the official playoffs begin, teams ranked \#7 through \#10 in each conference compete to determine the final two playoff spots. ## Key Playoff Terms to Know - **Home-Court Advantage**: The team with the better regular-season record hosts more games in the series. - **Upset**: When a lower-seeded team defeats a higher-seeded team. - **Game 7**: The ultimate showdown if a series is tied 3-3; winner takes all\! - **MVP (Most Valuable Player)**: The best-performing player of the series or Finals. ## Where to Watch the NBA Playoffs? Unless you’re in a city with a team in the playoffs and you want to secure tickets, your favorite [neighborhood, Bout Time](https://www.bouttimepub.com/hours-and-locations/), is the best place to watch a game or a round. With more TVs than tables and lots of great energy from viewers, combined with [scratch-made food](https://www.bouttimepub.com/bout-time-favorites-you-need-to-try-on-your-next-visit-2/) and plenty of beverages, you’ll feel like you’re courtside. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team to make it to the Finals or just enjoying the atmosphere, any of our Bout Time locations is the perfect place to catch all the action. So, grab a drink, order some wings, and get ready to experience the intensity of the NBA Playoffs with fellow fans. See you for tip-off\!  ### We’re Serving Championship Level Grub. [SEE WHAT’S ON THE MENU](https://www.bouttimepub.com/food-and-drink/) ## What We’re Thinking, and What We’re Drinking Previous [ BLOG POST 03/13/26 Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and a Major Tournament Weekend Across Utah Locations Bout Time Pub & Grub Invites Utah Communities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Food, Fun, and March Sports St. Patrick’s Day overlaps with early tournament games this year — a huge win for sports fans! Head to Bout Time \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/bout-time-pub-grub-st-patricks-day-utah/) [ BLOG POST 02/27/26 5 Key Basketball Basics You’ll Hear Everywhere During March Madness College basketball tournament season—better known as March Madness—is the perfect time for casual fans to become bracket experts in just one month. When it comes to filling out a bracket, debating upset picks, or just settling in to watch wall-to-wall \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-key-basketball-basics-youll-hear-everywhere-during-march-madness/) [ BLOG POST 01/29/26 5 Things You Should Know Before the Big Game and Why Bout Time is the Place to Watch It The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a full-day party. It doesn’t even matter if you watch for the football, Bad Bunny, or the commercials, because this once-a-year event is always unforgettable. To get ready for Super Bowl Sunday \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-things-you-should-know-before-the-big-game-and-why-bout-time-is-the-place-to-watch-it/) [ BLOG POST 04/07/26 Raise a glass this National Beer Day with Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrate National Beer Day at Bout Time Pub & Grub with the Ultimate Game-Day Pairing National Beer Day is just around the corner, and Bout Time Pub & Grub is inviting guests to celebrate at the beloved sports bar. Come \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/raise-a-glass-this-national-beer-day-with-bout-time-pub-grub/) [ BLOG POST 04/01/26 The Ultimate Guide to Watching the Masters Every April, the golf world turns its attention to Augusta National for one of the sport’s most iconic events. The Masters is a multi-day spectacle filled with dramatic finishes, legendary players, and unforgettable moments. While some fans prefer watching quietly \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-watching-the-masters/) [ BLOG POST 03/27/26 How to Spot an Upset: Early-Round Tournament Trends to Watch at Bout Time Few things are filled with more steals and dunks than the opening rounds of the annual NCAA college basketball tournament. The brackets are undisturbed, yet every fan knows the real excitement lives in the upsets. Those surprise wins, Cinderella runs, \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/how-to-spot-an-upset-early-round-tournament-trends-to-watch-at-bout-time/) [ BLOG POST 03/13/26 Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and a Major Tournament Weekend Across Utah Locations Bout Time Pub & Grub Invites Utah Communities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Food, Fun, and March Sports St. Patrick’s Day overlaps with early tournament games this year — a huge win for sports fans! Head to Bout Time \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/bout-time-pub-grub-st-patricks-day-utah/) [ BLOG POST 02/27/26 5 Key Basketball Basics You’ll Hear Everywhere During March Madness College basketball tournament season—better known as March Madness—is the perfect time for casual fans to become bracket experts in just one month. When it comes to filling out a bracket, debating upset picks, or just settling in to watch wall-to-wall \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-key-basketball-basics-youll-hear-everywhere-during-march-madness/) [ BLOG POST 01/29/26 5 Things You Should Know Before the Big Game and Why Bout Time is the Place to Watch It The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a full-day party. It doesn’t even matter if you watch for the football, Bad Bunny, or the commercials, because this once-a-year event is always unforgettable. To get ready for Super Bowl Sunday \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-things-you-should-know-before-the-big-game-and-why-bout-time-is-the-place-to-watch-it/) [ BLOG POST 04/07/26 Raise a glass this National Beer Day with Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrate National Beer Day at Bout Time Pub & Grub with the Ultimate Game-Day Pairing National Beer Day is just around the corner, and Bout Time Pub & Grub is inviting guests to celebrate at the beloved sports bar. Come \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/raise-a-glass-this-national-beer-day-with-bout-time-pub-grub/) [ BLOG POST 04/01/26 The Ultimate Guide to Watching the Masters Every April, the golf world turns its attention to Augusta National for one of the sport’s most iconic events. The Masters is a multi-day spectacle filled with dramatic finishes, legendary players, and unforgettable moments. While some fans prefer watching quietly \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-watching-the-masters/) [ BLOG POST 03/27/26 How to Spot an Upset: Early-Round Tournament Trends to Watch at Bout Time Few things are filled with more steals and dunks than the opening rounds of the annual NCAA college basketball tournament. The brackets are undisturbed, yet every fan knows the real excitement lives in the upsets. Those surprise wins, Cinderella runs, \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/how-to-spot-an-upset-early-round-tournament-trends-to-watch-at-bout-time/) [ BLOG POST 03/13/26 Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and a Major Tournament Weekend Across Utah Locations Bout Time Pub & Grub Invites Utah Communities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Food, Fun, and March Sports St. Patrick’s Day overlaps with early tournament games this year — a huge win for sports fans! Head to Bout Time \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/bout-time-pub-grub-st-patricks-day-utah/) [ BLOG POST 02/27/26 5 Key Basketball Basics You’ll Hear Everywhere During March Madness College basketball tournament season—better known as March Madness—is the perfect time for casual fans to become bracket experts in just one month. When it comes to filling out a bracket, debating upset picks, or just settling in to watch wall-to-wall \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-key-basketball-basics-youll-hear-everywhere-during-march-madness/) [ BLOG POST 01/29/26 5 Things You Should Know Before the Big Game and Why Bout Time is the Place to Watch It The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a full-day party. It doesn’t even matter if you watch for the football, Bad Bunny, or the commercials, because this once-a-year event is always unforgettable. To get ready for Super Bowl Sunday \[…\] Read the Blog Post](https://www.bouttimepub.com/5-things-you-should-know-before-the-big-game-and-why-bout-time-is-the-place-to-watch-it/) Next #### Join our Newsletter Get box seats for all the latest info! Sign up for our email newsletter to stay courtside with news, specials, events, and more. #### Get Text Updates for Discounts, and More\! Don’t get benched! Stay in the game and sign up to get our latest offers and exclusive access to events and deals. [](https://www.bouttimepub.com/) Bout Time Pub & Grub was started by a group of friends who wanted to create a neighborhood pub with fresh, craveable food, cold drinks, and great sports in an uncompromising atmosphere. 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3 minutes April 8, 2025  The [NBA Playoffs](https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2025) are one of the most exciting times in sports, bringing intense competition, athletic performances, legendary rivalries, individual superstars, and unforgettable moments. This beginner’s guide breaks down everything you need to know before the playoffs begin on April 19 so you can enjoy the action like a pro. ## How Do the NBA Playoffs Work? The NBA Playoffs determine the league’s champion through a series of elimination rounds. The format includes: - **16 Teams:** The top eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences qualify based on regular season performance. - **Seeding**: Teams are ranked from \#1 to \#8 in each conference based on their win-loss records. - **Best-of-Seven Series**: Each playoff round is decided in a best-of-seven format, meaning the first team to win four games advances to the next round. - **Four Rounds**: The playoffs consist of the First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and the [NBA Finals](https://www.bouttimepub.com/highlights-and-standouts-of-the-2024-nba-finals/). ## NBA Playoffs History Today, the NBA Playoffs are a global event, showcasing the best basketball talent in the world and culminating in the NBA Finals, where champions are crowned. The NBA Playoffs have evolved significantly since the league’s founding in 1946. Originally, the postseason featured just eight teams competing in a mix of round-robin and elimination formats. In 1955, the NBA adopted the best-of-seven series. In 1984, the NBA expanded to the current 16-team playoff structure. The introduction of the [Play-In Tournament](https://www.nba.com/news/nba-play-in-tournament) in 2020 gives lower-seeded teams one last chance to fight for a playoff berth and more excitement to viewers. Before the official playoffs begin, teams ranked \#7 through \#10 in each conference compete to determine the final two playoff spots. ## Key Playoff Terms to Know - **Home-Court Advantage**: The team with the better regular-season record hosts more games in the series. - **Upset**: When a lower-seeded team defeats a higher-seeded team. - **Game 7**: The ultimate showdown if a series is tied 3-3; winner takes all\! - **MVP (Most Valuable Player)**: The best-performing player of the series or Finals. ## Where to Watch the NBA Playoffs? Unless you’re in a city with a team in the playoffs and you want to secure tickets, your favorite [neighborhood, Bout Time](https://www.bouttimepub.com/hours-and-locations/), is the best place to watch a game or a round. With more TVs than tables and lots of great energy from viewers, combined with [scratch-made food](https://www.bouttimepub.com/bout-time-favorites-you-need-to-try-on-your-next-visit-2/) and plenty of beverages, you’ll feel like you’re courtside. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team to make it to the Finals or just enjoying the atmosphere, any of our Bout Time locations is the perfect place to catch all the action. So, grab a drink, order some wings, and get ready to experience the intensity of the NBA Playoffs with fellow fans. See you for tip-off\!